The Sporting World Lost One of its Beloved Sportscasters

BY Damon Knight

Late Monday night, the sporting world lost one of its beloved sportscasters at the age of 67. Fred McLeod, voice of the Cleveland Cavaliers and former Detroit Lions fixture, died from symptoms still unknown. McLeod was a well respected and a gifted announcer in the NBA. According to the Cavs, They called him a “great friend and teammate” and a “heart-felt ambassador.”

  Recently, McLeod celebrated his 36th anniversary of broadcasting games. He spent 22 of those years announcing for the Pistons and then went back home to announce for the Cavaliers in 2006. Ten years later, LeBron James and the Cavs battled back from a 3-1 deficit to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals and won. McLeod called the last seconds of the game and broke down in tears. It was their first title in 52 years. 

  Upon the news of his death, LeBron took to Twitter saying,  “May you rest in Paradise my friend!”

  The Detroit Lions also reached out saying, “It is with true sadness that we mourn the passing of Fred McLeod, who we were fortunate to have return as the television voice of Lions preseason football earlier this year,” the Lions said via statement. “Fred brought an energy to our broadcasts this summer and demonstrated the same passion for our team that he had for Detroit throughout his broadcasting career.

“The entire Detroit Lions organization extends its heartfelt sympathies and condolences to his wife, Beth, his family and members of the TV broadcast community he helped mentor for more than four decades.”